Dual effect of practical blood flow restriction training on groin pain and recovery in athletes

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is an evolving intrusion in rehabilitation that syndicates low-load resistance exercise with vascular occlusion, characteristically through the solicitation of inflatable cuffs or elastic bands. Groin pain is a frequent and operationally limiting condition among athletes, particularly in sports requiring rapid directional changes and high-intensity movements. Practical BFR training (pBFRT) has emerged as a potential rehabilitative approach, yet its effect on groin pain specifically in athletic populations remains underexplored. Prior studies have experimented the effect of BFR training on the knee pain and in elder patients, and there are very less rehabilitative measures that can be undertaken for treating groin pain in athletes. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the effect of pBFRT on groin pain in athletes and the rate of recovery in them. METHODOLOGY: This study included a quasi-experimental pretest and posttest design used on 50 male athletes (aged 16–24) suffering from groin pain. Participants performed 4 weeks of lower-limb resistance training using elastic BFR bands. Pain and recovery were assessed using the hip and groin outcome score (HAGOS) and total quality recovery (TQR) scale, respectively. RESULTS: Noteworthy enhancements were witnessed after training. The HAGOS score amplified from 30.4 ± 16.3 to 77.8 ± 14.5 (mean difference = 47.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 41.6–53.1; P < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 2.96). TQR scores increased from 10.6 ± 0.25 to 15.5 ± 2.5 (mean difference = 4.9; 95% CI: 4.6–5.1; P < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 2.59). These results propose a large effect size and strong clinical significance. Correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between pain reduction and recovery improvement ( r = 0.19, P = 0.187), suggesting these outcomes may improve independently. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that pBFRT seems to be an efficient approach for decreasing groin pain and boosting recovery and functional outcomes. It offers a low-load, practical method that could be incorporated into present rehabilitative measures to maximize recovery outcome with reduced burden. Its addition into physiotherapy procedures may decrease rehabilitation encumbrance and facilitate earlier return to sport. Further studies should include physiological measures, larger samples, and diverse demographics.